Kristoff nodded. “Yup. We looked every-where for it.”
“It must have fallen off the last time the bell was moved,” said Elsa, concerned.
“I tried to replace it, but it didn’t sound very good,” said Olaf.
“We need someone who can make a new one,” said Kristoff. “And fast.”
“A new dangly metal thingy,” said Anna. She turned to Elsa. “Frederik.”
“Frederik!” exclaimed Elsa in agreement.
The kingdom’s most experienced blacksmith was just the person they needed to help figure out a solution. They sent a messenger to bring him to the bell that very day.
“Hmmm,” said Frederik, drumming his fingers on his apron. He was a short, round man, and he looked even smaller next to the giant Yule Bell. He gazed inside. Then he circled around it, checking the metal from every angle. His wiry gray eyebrows moved toward his nose as he frowned, deep in thought. “So you need a new clapper.”
“That’s what it’s called!” exclaimed Anna. “A lot catchier than ‘dangly metal thingy.’”
Frederik laughed. “But not nearly as descriptive,” he said kindly.
“Do you think you can fix it?” asked Elsa.
“Of course I can, Your Majesty,” said Frederik. “But the holidays are right around the corner. I will have to work quickly.” He explained a bit about the process. “Clappers are tricky. If they’re too heavy, they crack the bell. If they’re too light, they don’t ring out. And if they’re made of the wrong material or are the wrong shape, they go blech instead of laaaaaa!” He raised his arms and belted out a long operatic note. Then he knocked on the side of the bell with his knuckles. “We can do it.”
“We need to have it in time for a special ceremony,” Elsa said anxiously, being careful not to reveal too much about the surprise.
“Of course we do!” said Frederik. He smiled, and his cheeks popped out like two cherry blossoms in the spring. “I can’t wait to hear the joyful sound of the Yule Bell again. I’ll get to work right away.” He said he would make the clapper in his shop, then return to attach it to the bell.
The sisters bid him farewell. They knew he could do it!
A few days later, the first snow came. Arendelle sparkled white in the crisp winter air. Everyone involved in planning the surprise party grew more excited each day. Elsa and Anna kept their minds off the Yule Bell as they focused on getting everything else ready.
Kristoff spent nearly all his time inside the stables, working on shining and refurbishing the Yule Bell, while Frederik did his best to make a new clapper. Every few days, he went to the stables to test out a design. He’d say “Too tinny” or “Too blech,” then hurry back to his shop to continue his work.
The day before the ceremony, Elsa and Anna were going over their lists. It seemed everything was in order and ready to go…everything but the Yule Bell. When they’d spoken with him the day before, Frederik had said the clapper was almost ready. They couldn’t help worrying. Would it be finished in time?
The day quickly slipped away. As the sun went down, they headed to the stables to check in with Kristoff. When they got there, they were shocked to see how shiny the bell was.
“Wow!” said Anna. “It looks amazing!”
“Not bad, huh?” said Kristoff, giving the giant bell a final buffing with a rag.
“I feel like I can almost see myself in it!” added Olaf, squinting as he tried to make out his reflection in the surface of the bell.
“Let’s just hope it can ring!” said Anna. “Have you seen—”
Before she could finish, there was a tapping noise from inside the bell. Kristoff smiled and stepped away, revealing Frederik in there!
Frederik chuckled when he saw the surprise on their faces. “All done.” He stepped out of the bell and stood up tall. “Tomorrow we shall have a beautiful laaaaaa,” he sang in his best opera voice.
Anna ran up and hugged him. “Thank you! Thank you!”
“No need for thanks,” Frederik said. “I did it for me as much as I did it for you and everyone else in the kingdom.” He patted Anna on the back. “We all need to hear the Yule Bell. Without its joyful ringing, there simply is no holiday in Arendelle.”
Frederik smiled as he put on his coat and went back to the village. The group looked out the stable door and watched as the snow fell on the moonlit courtyard. Elsa and Anna sighed with relief.
“So I guess we’re all ready for tomorrow,” said Elsa.
“All ready,” said Anna. “Now we just have to figure out how to fall asleep tonight.”
They stood for another moment, appreciating the peaceful beauty of the courtyard at night and imagining it bustling with the energy of the holiday festivities to come.
Snow fell on Arendelle overnight, covering it like a thick layer of frosting on a gingerbread village. The next day, the streets buzzed with joyful cheer as people hurried about, finishing their last-minute shopping and exchanging friendly hellos. There was no denying it—Arendelle was bursting with a special holiday spirit.
Inside the castle, lovely smells filled the air as both savory and sweet holiday treats were being baked in the kitchen. It was all coming together. Everyone continued to work hard. Servants set tables with colorful centerpieces and brought out trays of food.
Elsa and Anna had made sure that touches of holiday cheer graced nearly every corner of the castle. Pine wreaths dotted with little flowers and bright red velvet ribbons tied into bows hung throughout the hallways. Thick red ribbons were wrapped around the castle’s columns, making them look like giant peppermint sticks. Towering evergreen trees stood tall in every room. They had been trimmed with shimmering gold ornaments, bells, and candles, just like the sisters had wanted.
Kai happily carried a basket of ornaments toward one of the half-decorated trees in the library. Like everyone else who was in on the surprise, he was thrilled that the day of the celebration had arrived. As he picked up an ornament and carefully hung it from one of the branches, Olaf’s face popped out, startling him.
“SURPRISE!” shouted the little snowman, peering through the pine needles.
Kai gasped and nearly dropped his basket! When he realized it was just Olaf, he chuckled. “Not yet,” he said.
Olaf was having an extremely difficult time containing his excitement. He didn’t know if he would be able to wait another minute!
Half a dozen servants made their way toward the dining room carrying tall stacks of pretty holiday dishes. They marched through a hallway lined with shiny suits of armor propped up as knights standing at attention. Suddenly, one of the masks popped open and Olaf peeked out!
“Surprise!” he cried.
The startled servants screeched as they clutched the swaying dishes, protecting them from crashing to the floor. Relieved it was the snowman, the servants sighed.
“Not yet, Olaf,” they sang.
In the study, a fire warmed the room, throwing a pleasing glow onto a decorated pine tree. A mound of brightly wrapped gifts sat beside the tree. Nuf, another servant, entered the room carrying an oddly shaped gift. As he added it to the pile, Olaf jumped out from behind him and shouted, “SURPRISE!”
The shock sent Nuf toppling into the presents, and they scattered and rolled around the room. Exasperated, he said, “Not yet, Olaf!”
Anna, already dressed in her beautiful blue holiday gown, slowly opened the door to the quiet, decorated ballroom to get a look inside. The room had been completely transformed. Lovely linens, candles, and centerpieces graced each table. The banisters on either side of the grand staircase had been wrapped with pine garland. Red ribbons and wreaths were scattered throughout the room, and candles had been placed in all the wall sconces, creating an elegant atmosphere. There were trees trimmed with gold, and some of the food had been set out on long tables. The ballroom looked even better than she and Elsa had imagined!
“Whoa,” she said, admiring it all. Then she noticed the towering kransekake sitting on one of the
tables. The sweet rings of cake were stacked high and decorated with little blue flags, just like she and Elsa had planned.
“Hello,” Anna said to the sweet treat. Surely no one would mind if she sneaked a teeny, tiny taste.
Suddenly, Olaf burst from the cake. “SURPRISE!” he shouted. When he tumbled out, his parts separated along with the rings of the kransekake. Little blue flags fluttered everywhere.
Olaf’s head flew high up into the air, and Anna caught it in her arms. A blue flag stuck out of his snowy skull. He grinned up at her.
“Olaf, not yet!” said Anna with a giggle. She understood why he was so excited. She felt the same way!
Elsa descended the staircase sprinkling icy magic along the garland, making it glitter and sparkle. Her gown looked gorgeous, and its sheer cape sparkled with magic—her own special touch to Anna’s gift. The dress’s long train dragged behind her and gracefully swept down the staircase as she walked.
“Anna’s right,” she said. “Our surprise holiday party doesn’t start until after the Yule Bell rings!” She reminded Olaf to be patient.
“Ah,” he sighed, his head still in Anna’s arms. “Sorry, the suspense is tearing me apart!” The different sections of his body shook off the cake rings and pieced themselves back together. Anna put his head back on. “Thank you!”
“Olaf, I’m eager, too,” said Anna. “This is Arendelle’s first Christmas in forever!”
Elsa took the tiny blue flag from Olaf’s head. “The first of many to come,” she said with a smile.
Just then, something drew Anna’s attention. She looked outside. “Elsa, look!” she shouted, rushing to the window. “They’re arriving!”
Elsa ran over. The sight of the townspeople below filled the sisters’ hearts with joy.
Everyone streamed over the cobblestones, dressed in their best holiday clothes and looking cheerful and vibrant. Anna, Elsa, and Olaf watched for a moment, delighted to see the people admiring the festive decorations. Elsa and Anna had left out no decorating detail. They had made sure the courtyard was as magical as the castle. Pine trees covered in snow dotted the area and, thanks to Elsa’s magic, towering ice sculptures sprouted from the fountains that flanked the castle.
The townspeople were amazed by the outside decorations, but Elsa, Anna, and Olaf couldn’t wait until they saw what was waiting for them inside. The party was bound to be the best surprise Arendelle had ever seen. Knowing the wait was nearly over made them feel they might burst!
Anna knew the townspeople would love it all as much as she and Elsa did. She checked again to make sure everything was perfect. The last trays of food were in place. She examined one of the little centerpieces Elsa had shown her, a miniature tower surrounded by candles and tiny bells. Leaning in, she couldn’t help ringing a few just for fun. The tinkling sound sent a rush of joy through her.
Elsa also gave everything one last glance before they went down to greet the guests. She and Anna looked festive in their new holiday gowns, and Anna had braided some red berries and pine into her hair.
“You both look so beautiful!” said Olaf.
Elsa noticed that Olaf wasn’t wearing his green bow tie.
“I used it to shine up the Yule Bell,” Olaf admitted. “It did a really good job! But it got dirty.”
Elsa glanced around the room, looking for something special to give him. Her eyes landed on the perfect thing: a little red petal from a flower on one of the hanging wreaths! She plucked it off and placed it on Olaf, beneath his chin, and it looked just like a bow tie. Olaf instantly felt fancier. He thanked Elsa for helping him look his best.
Anna and Elsa smiled at each other. There was only one last thing to do! As they passed the gingerbread castle, which matched their home exactly, Anna sprinkled powdered sugar on top. It looked like the snow that had blanketed Arendelle overnight. Then Elsa pushed open the miniature front gates.
It was time!
Anna, Elsa, and Olaf rushed into the courtyard, waving at the townspeople and welcoming them. They all responded happily.
A group of people ringing handbells strode through the center of the courtyard. Behind them, Kristoff walked beside Sven, who proudly pulled a cart that carried the giant, shiny Yule Bell. Kristoff and Sven looked great in the holiday clothes Anna and Elsa had given them.
Olaf gasped when he saw his friends enter the courtyard.
“Hey, it’s Kristoff and Sven!” he said breathlessly, his body quivering. “AND THE YULE BELL!” He paused, then chuckled, looking at the sisters. “Why am I so excited about that?”
“Olaf, remember: the Yule Bell signals the start of the holidays in Arendelle,” said Elsa.
“Ooohh,” replied Olaf. In his excitement, he had completely forgotten that very important detail.
Everyone oohed and aahed as the bell was pulled into the center of the courtyard. Wheeling out the old bell was clearly a tradition that the whole kingdom revered and had missed. The townspeople chattered about how beautifully shined and buffed the bell looked. Frederik beamed, glad the bell was working again.
Kristoff raced to the top of the tower. The bells that normally hung there had been moved to the storage area, making room for the majestic Yule Bell. Down below, Frederik and a group of other townspeople huddled around, ready to help. When Kristoff was ready, he gave the signal. Then they all worked together to hoist the bell high over the courtyard.
From the tower, Kristoff helped guide it up. Once it was securely in place at the center of the tower, he dropped the rope down to Anna and Elsa. They stood on a platform in front of the townspeople. Everyone was eagerly waiting for the clock to strike twelve!
Olaf fidgeted with the rope from below as he watched along with the townspeople. When the hands of the clock ticked to noon, Anna, Elsa, and Olaf pulled on the rope. The heavy bell swung back and forth—and rang triumphantly! The deep, rich, beautiful sound carried across the kingdom. Anna and Elsa remembered Frederik singing “Laaaaaa!” in his dramatic opera voice and they smiled.
Elsa held her arms out to the people and shouted, “Let the holidays begin!”
The crowd roared with cheers and applause. Anna leaned over to Olaf.
“Okay, NOW!” she said as they opened the castle doors.
Finally allowed to share the secret, Olaf shouted, “SURPRISE!” as loudly as he could.
But when Anna turned around, everyone was walking away from the castle. Anna and Elsa stood there for a moment, bewildered. Why weren’t the townspeople happily surprised and ready to celebrate with them? Why were they leaving? And where were they going?
“Uh-oh,” said Olaf, just as perplexed and disappointed as the sisters.
Anna rushed off the steps of the castle. She could hear the townspeople talking about how beautiful the ceremony was and how much they loved the Yule Bell as they left.
She shouted, “Wait! Wait! Hold on! Hold on!” as she hurried over, trying to catch up. She saw a grandmother holding her little grand-daughter’s hand and shifted her panicked voice to a casual one.
“Going so soon?” Anna asked.
The grandmother turned to her and smiled kindly. “The Yule Bell rang,” she said. “I must get home to my family’s holiday tradition: rolling the lefse!” She pulled her granddaughter along as they headed away.
Anna understood the tradition: the flat-bread was delicious! And maybe the grandmother and her family hadn’t planned on spending the evening in the castle. That was all right—surely someone else could stay.
Anna looked at a couple hurrying out.
“We put out porridge for our tomte!” the man explained. Tomte were little elves that were said to keep the farms safe.
A pair of twin sisters rushed by. “We’re baking traditional bordstabelbakkels!” they said cheerfully. Anna loved the cookies, but she wished the sisters didn’t have to make them now.
Olaf wanted to share something, too. “And I’m going to fillet the krumsalakringlekakke,” he said. He turned to Anna. “That’s
a thing, right?”
Anna shook her head. Her heart sank to her feet as she watched the people go. None of them had planned on celebrating at the castle. Even Kristoff had disappeared somewhere. They were all on their way home to do the various things they did every year. Anna and Elsa’s surprise had been too much of a surprise.
As the townspeople continued to announce a variety of family traditions, Elsa came down to the courtyard, too. She approached a couple that was ambling out arm in arm. She smiled.
“Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Olsen,” she said, “you’re welcome to join us in the castle if you’d like.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” said Mr. Olsen, resting his cane against the cobblestone. “But Olga and I should be getting home to knit socks for our grandchildren.”
“It’s our tradition,” added Olga.
“Yes, and we wouldn’t want to intrude on your family traditions,” said Mr. Olsen. The couple smiled and continued on their way.
Anna and Elsa stood still as statues, listening to the hollow echo of footsteps as the courtyard emptied. They stared at the space around them, disappointed. It certainly was not the sight they had expected to see after the ceremony. Where was the joyous surprise celebration they’d planned for? Why did it seem that everyone but them had something else to do?
They thought about Mr. Olsen’s words. “We wouldn’t want to intrude on your family traditions.” Everyone’s traditions seemed so wonderful. The sisters couldn’t help feeling they were the only two in the entire kingdom who were missing something.
Olaf brightened. “Oh, so the surprise is that everyone left?”
Anna and Elsa sighed, too sad to respond. Then they heard the faint sound of music coming from the courtyard entrance.
Kristoff sauntered into the courtyard, playing his lute. He was wearing a moss cape with a big collar made of bright green fern fronds that flapped in the breeze. He knew how disappointed the sisters were after they’d looked forward to celebrating with everyone, and he was confident that he could make them feel better.
Olaf's Frozen Adventure Junior Novel Page 2
